Buying a used lens? Don't do this...

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Buying a used lens? Don't do this...

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R8R

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So yesterday I committed cardinal sin - I bought a used lens without checking it thoroughly enough.

It was a Tokina 28-80mm f/2.8

Looked great, popped it on my D7k and took some test shots (in daylight) and it focused well and sharp. Had a Hoya filter on it too. I was on the way home from the store, with popsicles in the back seat. Had to be quick.

Took it home for just under $400.

Later, I put on the hood to go outside and shoot and....it fell off. Along with the entire filter ring and filter. The entire front of the lens just dropped on the floor. The ring was broken where it screws into the main body.

Well maybe I can glue it...

So I took some more shots indoors near a window...and they were soft. Like, WAY soft. Vaseline on the lens soft. WTF?

Took a flashlight to it and way deep in the middle element - fungus. An even, thorough deposit of fungus. I missed it by only checking the front and rear elements in the daylight. This was deep down, in a long lens. Only visible by flashlight inspection.

Luckily the guy I got it from was local and understanding, so he took it back and refunded my money.

Moral of the story: CHECK THE LENS, even if you are in a hurry like I was.

Got a used lens horror story? Let's hear it!

Posted 10 months ago #
earthsea

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I know exactly where you are coming from R&R.
While the wife was way overseas on R&R ( not literally ) I took the plunge and bought a new Nikon14-24mm lens. I very nearly bought a near new Nikon 14-24mm on an online auction site. It had been converted to adapt to a canon camera and in so doing had the rubber seal removed from its rear end to accommodate the adaptor, the seal came with the lens but I would have to install it to use it on my D800. I recon I could have purchased the lens for around $1900NZ but came to the conclusion that the integrity of the lens had been compromised after the seal was removed and with it being an online purchase I bailed out of the deal and bought a new one for $2799NZ.
Yes, I know, we here down under pay a premium for quality but what the heck, I plan on keeping this lens for some time.
You were lucky the guy you purchased from came to the party and refunded your money.
We live and learn!

Posted 10 months ago #
spraynpray

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Glad it turned out OK - sounds like it is another example of why it is best to buy from a local shop rather than online.

Posted 10 months ago #
R8R

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spraynpray said:
Glad it turned out OK - sounds like it is another example of why it is best to buy from a local shop rather than online.

Or make sure there is a return policy when buying used.

I've bought a couple lenses off Craig's List, but I always took my time and tested/inspected the lens thoroughly. One seller even made me coffee I was there so long. (and it never hurts to snap a few pics of the seller while you're at it!)

Posted 10 months ago #
R8R

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earthsea said:I bailed out of the deal and bought a new one for $2799NZ.

That's about $2280 USD, so almost a $300 hit over what we pay in the states. Ouch!

Posted 10 months ago #
Gareth

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that's with the current exchange. it used to be (a few years back) pretty much US$1 buys NZ$2...

Posted 10 months ago #
tcole1983

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Good thing you got your money back. I would think the person knew something was wrong in the first place. No offense meant to third party lenses, but they scare me buying used except from a reputable source because of the QA/QC issues with them.

I purchased my Nikon 17-55 from craigslist and in my excitement or something I didn't even test zooming. I changed the aperture and looked inside in all, but I was testing it like it was a prime or something. When I got home I realized what I had done, but the lens works beautifully and was in mint condition.

Posted 9 months ago #
R8R

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tcole1983 said:
Good thing you got your money back. I would think the person knew something was wrong in the first place. No offense meant to third party lenses, but they scare me buying used except from a reputable source because of the QA/QC issues with them.

The seller was completely ignorant of camera equipment, selling off a departed family member's gear.

I don't really trust any 3rd party stuff aside from Tokina. The few Tokina lenses I've owned have been fantastic. (the 28-80mm above being the exception)

Most Sigma and Tamron lenses I've looked at seemed like garbage.

Posted 9 months ago #
Tom Gresham

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Yep. I had that happen on a 200mm f/2 Nikon lens. Seller denied any knowledge of the fungus, then said he'd cover the cost of repair (I had Nikon do it), then stopped answering emails, though he's a regular on several photography boards, promoting his photo business.

I finally just chalked it up to the cost ($500+) of my education. I'll never again buy from an individual online if I can't see the equipment before buying it. A return guarantee is okay for a store, but with an individual, you never know.

BTW, the lens is great. Nikon did a good job with the cleaning, etc.

Posted 9 months ago #
SkintBrit

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R8R said:
(and it never hurts to snap a few pics of the seller while you're at it!)

PLUS 1000,000! Now that's one of the best things you can do. A legitimate seller will never mind, but if they know it's stolen, they'll object. I do the same thing (just make up some excuse) when buying anything for cash from a private seller. If it turns out to be hooky later, you've got something to show the police when they come knocking.

Posted 9 months ago #
msmoto

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And, SkintBrit, I did this when I sold my D200 body for cash. Twenty dollar bills can be counterfeit.... And, when doing any business for more than $1000 I either use a reputable store or conduct the business at my bank. Then if a check is involved, it can be guaranteed prior to the consummation of the sale.

I think now days with the portability of the computers, taking one along when purchasing a lens, shooting at various f/stops, wide open, fully closed, close focus and infinity, then looking at the images on the computer at 100% crop is most likely the way to do this. Of course, if the lens is a few hundred dollars, this may not be worth it, but if over a thousand dollars, well worth the extra effort. I have been cheated out of a lot of money online and do not wish to have any of this occur again.

Posted 9 months ago #
El_Pickerel

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I also picked up a used Tokina 28-80mm f/2.8... the lens itself was in good shape, but the image quality is terrible, and it has far and away the worst flare / chromatic aberration of any lens I have ever used. It produces a full rainbow around point lights and very hard contrast. It was so bad that I simply did not use it, and changed lenses between my wide zoom - 35 prime - 50 prime - tele zoom to cover the midrange.

Posted 9 months ago #
R8R

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So I would have to give a BIG thumbs down to the used dept at B&H right now.

Bought a used Tokina 16-28mm f/2.8 from them. It stated it was in "9+" condition, for $650. Cool with me, good price for that lens.

It showed up in perfect shape, like brand new. BUT, it back-focused. BAD. I could not correct it in the camera, even at -20 AF fine tune. Eh...bad copy, it happens. So I returned it.

I noticed another copy of the lens on their site, same condition used, so I requested an exchange once the first lens was received.

The lens took over 10 days to be received into their system after it had been delivered. In the meantime, they SOLD THE OTHER LENS to someone! WTF?? It was supposed to be on hold for me until the 19th of this month, and they sold it online on the 14th. (I found this out after waiting on hold in live chat with the used dept for what seemed like forever)

So now I have no lens and after 17 days since the returned lens arrived there I am STILL waiting on a refund.

AND - they had put that lens back on their site for sale again!! It's not there now so some poor sap is about to go through what I went through unless their camera AF is far enough out of whack.

So my conclusion is: never buy used from B&H unless you are determined to live with what you buy, cause the return process is ridiculous.

Posted 8 months ago #
iris chrome

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^ I think somebody or something up there is trying to tell you something : )

Posted 8 months ago #
R8R

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iris chrome said:
^ I think somebody or something up there is trying to tell you something : )

Avoid Tokina maybe?

I had the 11-16mm about a year ago. It was amazing. If (big IF) you get a good copy, they are great lenses.

But yeah, no more used lenses unless I can mount the damn thing on my camera body right in front of the seller, and then take the time to really check it out.

Posted 8 months ago #
El_Pickerel

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@ R&R - not necessarily going out to contradict you, but shipping could also have been a factor. Even if something is marked 'fragile' it could have been knocked around in shipping, and a group could have been moved or decentered in the process. Stinks with the other stuff though...

Posted 8 months ago #
tcole1983

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That is something I worry about with third party lenses. They don't have great quality control to begin with...I am always weary of a used lens then. I saw a Tokina 12-24 F4 used for a good price...like $100 less then I just sold my copy for, but it wasn't worth the risk to me. Unless I have it in front of me I don't think I would ever buy a Sigma, Tamron or Tokina lens used. Just seems like the risk of them being a bad copy is even greater with someone trying to get rid it and selling it as used. Maybe I am being paranoid, but I don't want to have to go through the return and all that like R&R.

Posted 8 months ago #
iris chrome

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Agree about 11-16mm. I bought the Canon mount first. It was my first UW and I instantly fell in love with it. Later when I bought my D7K, I also bought the Nikon version but shortly after I also got my hands on the Nikon 10-24 so I ended up selling the Tokina. I still have the Canon version though :D

Posted 8 months ago #
R8R

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And B&H has still not refunded my money and they are on holiday...

Posted 8 months ago #

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Buying a used lens? Don't do this...

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